About the Author  |  About the Editorial Board
Barney Jones
the Creator and Author of FlexDraft
Bernard E. ("Barney") Jones began to see the possibilities of computers in the field of law almost 30 years ago. Before he was licensed, he worked his way through law school as a computer programmer on the U.T campus. Within a year after graduation, he began utilizing personal computers in the organization and preparation of legal documents. By the mid to late 1980's he had already conceived the "grandfather" of what is now known as FlexDraft.

Barney is solo practitioner in Houston, Texas.  He is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He was an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center from 1996 to 2001, and is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Barney received his Bachelors degree and his Law degree from the University of Texas. (View detailed PDF resume)
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Mickey Davis, John Ridout and Karen Gerstner
the FlexDraft Editorial Board
In 1996, Barney joined Mickey Davis and John Ridout to form the law firm of Davis, Ridout & Jones, L.L.P. With new expertise and fresh insight from Mickey and John, the development of FlexDraft accelerated significantly.

In 1999 Karen Gerstner joined with Mickey, John and Barney and the firm became Davis, Ridout, Jones & Gerstner, L.L.P. Karen's presence brought additional skill and insight and FlexDraft development continued at an even faster pace. In the summer 2000 FlexDraft had become sufficiently versatile and powerful to have potential as a marketable product.

In December 2003 Davis, Ridout, Jones, & Gerstner, L.L.P. dissolved but the FlexDraft Editorial Board did not.  Mickey, John, and Karen all continue to provide regular, valuable input.  Barney, Mickey, John, and Karen all continue to practice estate planning law and all continue to use FlexDraft for virtually all Wills and Trusts they prepare.  This gives the Editorial Board a vested interest in ensuring that FlexDraft remain a state of the art estate planning document assembly system, capable of producing an unlimited variety of estate planning documents both quickly and accurately.
Mickey R. Davis is a partner with the firm of Davis & Wilms, PLLC.  Mickey is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He is a licensed CPA, an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center.  Mickey received his Bachelors degree from the University of Arizona and his Law degree from the University of Texas. (View detailed PDF resume)
John T. Ridout has his own firm in Houston, Ridout & Associates.  John is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. John received his Bachelors degree and his Law degree from the University of Texas. (View detailed PDF resume)
Karen S. Gerstner has her own firm in Houston, Karen S. Gerstner & Associates, P.C.  Karen is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. She is past President of the Houston Estate and Financial Forum, the Planned Giving Council of Houston, and the Houston Bar Association's Probate Trusts and Estates Section.  Karen received her Bachelors degree from Miami University and her Law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. (View detailed PDF resume)
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